ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF CARNATION CV. MASTER CUT FLOWER PRODUCTION AS INFLUENCED BY FERTILIZER SCHEDULES UNDER NATURALLY VENTILATED POLYHOUSE

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1 Bangladesh J. Bot. 45(1): 25-31, 2016 (March) ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF CARNATION CV. MASTER CUT FLOWER PRODUCTION AS INFLUENCED BY FERTILIZER SCHEDULES UNDER NATURALLY VENTILATED POLYHOUSE ARVINDER SINGH* 1, BP SHARMA, BS DILTA, YC GUPTA, NOMITA LAISHRAM 1 AND HS BAWEJA Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh India Key words: Economic analysis, Carnation, Cost of cultivation, Gross income, Cut flower production Abstract The present investigation was carried out in naturally ventilated polyhouse during the year 2010 and 2011 to ascertain the effect of 16 different fertilizer doses and methods of application on cut flower yield and economics of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) cv. Master. The results revealed that the overall cost of cultivation as well as the economics of carnation cut flower production was significantly influenced by the fertilizer application. Carnation cv. Master plants fertigated with 250 ppm N and K through urea and MOP in combination with 250 ppm NPK foliar spray through Sujala (19 : 19 : 19 NPK) once a week produced maximum saleable flowers ( nos./m 2 ) for three flushes over the recommended practice ( nos./m 2 ). The same treatment also recorded maximum returns of /m 2 with highest B : C ratio of 2.27 for three flushes. Introduction Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) is one of the most important commercial cut flower in the global florist trade owing to its excellent keeping quality, wide range of available colours and ability to withstand long distance transportation. Being a greenhouse crop, fertilizer applications play a key role in increasing quality and quantity of carnation flowers. It is well established fact that carnation plants make a good reserve of N at tufting stage which is utilized during flowering (Arora and Gill 1995). The deficiency of any one or more of the major nutrients can drastically limit the growth of the plants leading to reduction in productivity and quality of the flowers produced. Over feeding of the plants, on the other hand, results in the accumulation of salts in the soil which prevents the uptake of water and sometimes causes wilting of them. Master is a red colour standard cultivar of carnation and has been recommended by Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan-Himachal Pradesh for commercial cultivation in the mid-hill zones of Himachal Pradesh. Comparatively, this cultivar is preferred by the consumers and its growers fetches better remuneratives in the market. It is very less prone to calyx splitting and is a good yielder. Hence, it necessitates for the standardization of the nutritional schedule for its commercial cultivation so that growers can obtain good yields and fetches better prices. The present investigation was therefore carried out with the thrust to optimize a cost-effective dose of fertilizers which will enhance the growth and flowering of carnation grown in naturally ventilated polyhouses under the mid-hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh. Based on the part information of Ph. D. thesis of the first author (AV) submitted to Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan , Himachal Pradesh in the year *Author for correspondence: <arvindersingh4601@yahoo.com>. 1 Division of Vegetable Science and Floriculture, Sher-e- Kashmir University of Science and Technology, Jammu.

2 26 SINGH et al. Material and Methods The present investigation was carried out at the Research Farm of Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan under naturally ventilated polyhouse during 2010 and The farm is located between 30 o north latitude and 77 o east longitude at an altitude of 1276 meters above mean sea level. The area falls in the mid-hill zone of Himachal Pradesh with sub-temperate to subtropical climate. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design (CRD) with 16 different treatments (Table 1) replicated thrice. Rooted cuttings of carnation cv. Master were planted in a sterilized growing medium consisting of soil : FYM : coco peat (2 : 1 : 1, v/v) on 9th of March, 2010 at a spacing of cm accommodating 25 plants per bed of 1 m 1 m dimensions. Standard cultural practices were followed during the entire cropping season. Nutritional treatments were started after 40 days of planting and continued up to the bud formation stage (5 mm size). Foliar spray was done during morning hours ( a.m.). Teepol (0.05%) was used as a surfactant. The plots receiving foliar application were sprayed till runoff point (2.5 l/m 2 ). Fertigation was done during evening hours. Each plot was fertigated with 5 litres of nutrient solution as per the treatment requirements. University recommended practice comprising of basal doses of g/m 2 each + biofertilizer mixture (VAM + azospirillum + g/plant applied at the time of planting and 100 ppm N (60 ppm through Multi-K and calcium nitrate, rest 40 ppm ammonical nitrogen in the form of urea) and 140 ppm K (through Multi - K) twice a week after 40 days of planting was taken as control. The yield was calculated for one square metre (i.e. total number of saleable flowers obtained per m 2 for three flowering flushes) by multiplying the number of cut stems obtained per plant by the number of plants/m 2 and expresse in numbers. Carnation plants grown under naturally ventilated polyhouses produces flowers of marketable acceptability and quality for three flowering flushes afterwards the returns are not economical. Hence the data were recorded only for first three flowering flushes. The economics of the individual treatment were calculated based on the total cost of cultivation and gross income and were expressed in per m 2 basis. The expenditures both recurring and non recurring incurred during the cropping period were computed based on the investment on preparatory cost including planting materials. Cost of production was calculated by taking into account the cost of land preparation, material inputs, irrigation, harvesting and assembling expenses etc. with labour charges taken as `120/manday. Gross monetary returns (`/m 2 ) was worked out for different treatments as: Gross monetary returns (Rs./m 2 ) = Total saleable flowers/m 2 market rate Net returns (Rs./m 2 ) = Gross returns/m 2 total expenditure/ m 2 Benefit: Cost ratio: Net returns/total expenditure Considering the stem length, cut flowers were graded as A (60-70 cm), B (50-60 cm) and C (40-50 cm). For calculating the gross monetary return, selling price of the cut flower according to different grades which were taken as Rs.7 for A-Grade, Rs.5 for B-Grade and Rs.3 for C-grade flowers. Results and Discussion Cost of cultivation is the most important single factor which decides the adoption of any improved practices by the grower. The cost-benefit ratio of treatments is another most important factor that determines its usefulness and acceptance by the grower. A treatment should not only be effective but also should be profitable proposition to be acceptance by a grower. In the present study, the different treatments showed clear impact on the comparative economics of the

3 ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF CARNATION CV. MASTER CUT FLOWER 27 production of cut flowers in carnation. The details pertaining to costs and returns are given in Table 1. The pooled yield potentiality of different treatments as influenced by the different fertilizers doses and methods of application of fertilizers are given in Table 1. It is apparent from the data, that the treatment T 13 comprising of 250 ppm N and K fertigation through Urea and MOP ppm NPK foliar spray through Sujala once a week recorded significantly highest yield of saleable cut flowers/m 2 (517.25) compared to other treatments followed by T 12 recording number of cut flowers/m 2 whereas the lowest yield of saleable flowers/m 2 (437.50) was recorded in T 0 (control). Treatment T 13 recorded an increase yield of 18.23% over control as against the lowest increase of 2.06% in T 4. This increase in yield might be due to reduced leaching losses and improved fertilizer use efficiency through timely applications of N, P and K as a consequence of adequate soil moisture availability due to frequent fertigation that had led to increased photosynthetic rate. In addition foliar fertilization promoted better uptake of N, P and K by the roots and hence resulted in higher utilization and translocation (Beaton and Espinosa 1996; Romheld and El-Fouly 1999). The efficacy of foliar fertilization is higher than that of soil fertilization because of the supply of required nutrient directly to the location of demand in the leaves and its relatively quick absorption. The higher flower yield with the scheduled application of T 13 may be ascribed to the fact that this treatment might have supplied higher amounts of N, P and K in available form and production of more flowering shoots in comparison to other treatments. Nitrogen increases the availability of cytokinins that are known to promote the development of more lateral branches/shoots per plant, which means more branching in a plant. The effect is manifested in the production of significantly higher number of shoots by the plants supplied with higher levels of NPK which in turn results in an increase in the number of cut flowers per plant. Different studies conducted have reported increased yield of cut flowers stems and quality cut flowers in various cut flower crops including carnation. Ashok et al. (1999) reported fertigation with ammonium nitrate at the rate of 150 ppm recorded the higher flower yield (153 flowers/m 2 ) compared to control. Sarkar and Roychoudhary (2003) reported that fertigation of N and 200 ppm each twice a week recorded the highest flower yield per plant in carnation cv. Chaubad Mixed. Kore et al. (2003) reported maximum flower yield with WSF (AQUAFERT, 19 : 19 : 19, NPK) at 75% of the RDF in China aster cv. Ostrich Plume Mixed. Barman et al. (2006) recorded highest flower yield per metre square per annum in rose cv. First Red with 200 and 300 kg N and K 2 O/ha/year - through water soluble fertilizers. Verma (2001) observed highest number of cut flowers per plant in carnation cv. Impala with the foliar application of 1500 ppm N. Verma (2003) also reported maximum cut flower yield per plant with foliar application of 1000 ppm N weekly and minimum with control in carnation cvs. White Candy and Red Corso. In another study, Qasim et al. (2008) ascertained the influence of two levels (500 and 250 ml) of NPK fertigation applied at 2, 4 and 6 days interval on plant growth and flowering in two rose (Rosa hybrida L.) cvs. Amalia and Anjleeq and recorded highest number of flowers/plant with 500 ml at 2 days interval. Foliar application of 0.6% Sangral (containing macro-nutrients (20% N, 20% P, 20% K, 0.12% Mg) and micro-elements (70 ppm Fe, 14 ppm Zn, 16 ppm Cu, 42 ppm Mn,72 ppm B and 24 ppm Mo) recorded the highest number of flowers per plant in carnation cv. Red Sim (El-Naggar 2009). Verma (2001) found foliar application of higher dose of nitrogen (1500 ppm) to increase the percentage of maximum A - grade flowers over control. Bhalla et al. (2007) recorded higher percentage of A-grade flowers (97.33%) with water soluble fertilizers in sand: soil: vermicompost (1 : 1 : 1, v/v) of carnation cv. Raggio-de-Sole and Murcia. Arvinder et al reported highest number of cut flowers

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5 ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF CARNATION CV. MASTER CUT FLOWER 29

6 30 SINGH et al. per metre square in carnation cv. Master with the application of water soluble fertilizer sujala (19 :19 : 19 NPK) grown under polyhouse in mid-hill zones of Himachal Pradesh. The economics under various treatments were worked out on the basis of yield and presented in Table 2. Among all the treatments, the highest total expenditure of Rs /m 2 was incurred in T 13 comprising 250 ppm N and K fertigation through urea and MOP ppm NPK foliar spray through Sujala once a week followed by T 12 (Rs ) and lowest of Rs in T 14 comprising of 150 ppm N and K fertigation through urea and MOP ppm NPK foliar spray through Sujala fortnightly. Treatment T 13 comprising of 250 ppm N and K fertigation through urea and MOP ppm NPK foliar spray through Sujala once a week recorded the highest gross returns /m 2 (Rs ) followed by Rs in T 12 whereas lowest (Rs ) was recorded in control. Treatment T 13 comprising of 250 ppm N and K fertigation through urea and MOP ppm NPK foliar spray through Sujala once a week recorded the highest net returns/m 2 (Rs ) followed by Rs in T 12 whereas lowest (Rs ) was recorded in T 0 (recommended practices). While evaluating the cost of production for different treatments, it was observed that the plants treated with T 13 comprising of 250 ppm N and K fertigation through urea and MOP ppm NPK foliar spray through Sujala once a week resulted in maximum benefit cost ratio (2.27 : 1) while the minimum benefit cost ratio (1.74 : 1) was recorded in the T 1 i.e. Recommended practices. The economic value of a crop is determined by its yield and quality. If growing conditions provide required microclimate and nutrition, plants exhibit full expression of the genetic potential, yield and quality for long period. In the present investigations, economic analysis of the best treatment revealed that application of T 13 resulted maximum return over the recommended practices. This increase in monetary return may be attributed to higher cut flower yield. It could hence be concluded from the present studies that 250 ppm N and K fertigation through urea and MOP ppm NPK foliar spray through Sujala once a week resulted in improvement for most of the economical parameters of carnation cv. Master recording maximum economic returns and highest benefit-cost ratio to the farmers of the mid-hill zones of Himachal Pradesh. References Arora JS and Gill APS Cultural requirements of carnation. In: Advances in Horticulture-ornamental plants (KL Chadha and SK Bhattacharjee. Eds.), pp.715. Malhotra Publishing House, New Delhi. Arvinder Singh, Sharma BP, Gupta YC, Dilta BS and Nomita Laishram Response of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) cv. Master to water soluble fertilizer (19:19:19NPK). Indian J. Agril. Sci. 83(12): Ashok AD, Arun DS and Rengasamy P Influence of graded levels and sources of N fertigation on flowering of cut rose cv. First Red under protected conditions. South Ind. Hort. 47(1/6): Barman D, Rajni K, Upadhyaya RC and Singh DK Effect of horticultural practices for sustainable production of rose in partially modified greenhouse. Indian J. Hort. 63(4): Bhalla R, Shiva Kumar MH and Jain R Effect of organic manures and biofertilizers on growth and flowering in Standard carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus Linn.). J. Ornamental Hort. 10(4): Beaton JDE and Espinosa J Fertigation and the use of liquid fertilizers. X Congreso Nacional Agronomico / II Congreso de Suelos. pp El-Naggar AH Response of Dianthus caryophyllus L. plants to foliar nutrition. World J. Agril. Sci. 5(5):

7 ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF CARNATION CV. MASTER CUT FLOWER 31 Kore VN, Meman SI and Burondkar MM Effect of GA 3 and fertigation on flower quality and yield of China aster (Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees) var. Ostrich Plume Mixed under Konkan agro-climatic conditions. Orissa J. Hort. 31(1): Qasim M, Ahmad I and Ahmad T Optimizing fertigation frequency for Rosa hybrida l. Pakistan J. Bot. 40(2): Verma VK, Sharma YD and Gupta YC Response of carnation to foliar application of nitrogen. J. Ornamental Hort. 6(2): Verma VK Effect of planting dates, pinching methods and foliar application of nitrogen on growth and flowering of carnation under protected conditions. Ph.D. Thesis submitted to Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh (H.P.). Verma VK Response of foliar application of nitrogen and gibberellic acid on the growth and flowering of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.). Himachal J. Agril. Res. 29(1-2): Romheld V and El-Fouly MM Foliar Nutrient Application: Challenge and limits in crop production. Institut fur Pflanzenernahrung (330), Universitat Hohenheim, D70593, Stuttgart, Germany. pp Sarkar I and Roychoudhury N Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus on growth and flowering of carnation cv. Chaubad Mixed under open conditions. Environ. and Ecol. 21(3): (Manuscript received on 28 December, 2014; revised on 16 June, 2015)